Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2025

A Quantitative Sensory Testing Paradigm to Obtain Measures of Pain Processing in Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery
Published on: January 18, 2018
Characterization of Pain in Lipedema: Reliability and Validity of Pain Pressure Thresholds and Hand-Held
Francesco Bettariga1,2, Luca Fumagalli3,4, Daniele Aloisi5
1Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
Abstract:
Background: Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by abnormal deposition of subcutaneous adipose tissue, leading to pain. The lack of internationally recognized diagnostic criteria complicates the characterization of pain. Physiological parameters such as pain pressure threshold (PPT) represent promising prognostic markers for diagnosing lipedema, yet they remain understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of two pain pressure measurements, PPT and the hand-held sphygmomanometer (HHS) in lipedema. Methods: A total of 28 adult females diagnosed with lipedema were recruited. Both PPT, using a digital algometer, and HHS, using a manual aneroid HHS, were performed to assess pain in the lower limbs. The testing was performed in a standing position with PPT and HHS placed on the calf. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) were employed to assess the within session reliability, while the validity between PPT and HHS was analyzed using R2 in a linear regression model. Results: The results showed excellent reliability for both PPT and HHS, with ICC indicating high consistency (ICC = 0.93 to 0.97) and CV showing acceptable scores (CV = 3.62% to 9.06%). In addition, good validity between PPT and HHS was also observed (R2 = 0.69 to 0.74), suggesting that HHS can be a reliable alternative to PPT for pain assessment in lipedema. Conclusion: These findings have important clinical implications, as they expand the knowledge of pain characterization in people with lipedema, potentially aiding in diagnostic refinement. In addition, a cost-effective and accessible method for assessing pain was examined (i.e., HHS), showing promising findings and providing an objective method to help diagnose lipedema.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...
Sites for measruring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Pulse amplitude and quality
A weak or absent pulse may indicate reduced cardiac output or poor left ventricular contraction, which can be signs of cardiovascular dysfunction or...

